Election counting goes on today, and the countywide sales tax measure is still ahead. The ocean is rough, with very high tides on the way this weekend, and South Bay beaches are still closed. You’ll also find this week’s overnight freeway closures, transit changes, cheaper gas and the dates for December Nights.
In this guide
- Measure B sales tax is ahead, but the count isn’t done
- High rip current risk today, then very high tides this weekend
- Ten beach closures remain in the South Bay
- A cool start, then a hot weekend with some Santa Ana wind
- Freeway connectors close overnight through Sunday
- SDSU trolley escalators are out, and two Route 10 stops close Friday morning
- Gas drops below $6 a gallon for the first time since September
- December Nights is set for Dec. 4 and 5, with Clay Aiken headlining
Measure B sales tax is ahead, but the count isn’t done
Measure B, the countywide half-cent sales tax, had 51.6% yes votes in the Registrar of Voters’ latest unofficial update, posted early Wednesday. It needs a simple majority to pass. The Registrar says about 540,000 ballots are still uncounted and the next update comes by 6 p.m. Thursday.
KPBS reports that supporters expect the tax to raise around $400 million a year. Most of it would go to health and family services, with the rest split between Tijuana River sewage work and public safety, wildfire and emergency programs. A few city measures are also close or settled for now: Oceanside’s Measure S sales tax trails by under a point, Santee’s Measure Y is behind, and Solana Beach’s hotel tax increase, Measure C, is well ahead.
If Measure B holds, everyday purchases in the county would cost a little more once the new rate takes effect. Nothing changes at the register yet. The results page at sdvote.com updates after each count, and our living in San Diego guide covers other local costs.
Source: KPBS; San Diego County Registrar of Voters
High rip current risk today, then very high tides this weekend
The National Weather Service has a high rip current risk for the San Diego County coast today and Thursday, with surf of 3 to 5 feet and water temperatures in the upper 60s to mid 70s. In La Jolla, today’s high tides are about 5 feet just before 6 a.m. and 4.5 feet just before 6 p.m.
Tides get much bigger as the week goes on. Forecasters expect about 7 feet on Friday and a peak of 7.4 to 7.6 feet on Sunday and Monday. A northwest swell arriving Friday could push surf to 6 or 7 feet, and they expect at least minor coastal flooding around high tide from Saturday through Tuesday, mostly on west-facing beaches.
Swim near an open lifeguard tower this week. Over the weekend, avoid parking in low beach lots around the morning high tide, and watch for water over the sand and some low streets. Our flooding and road alerts guide explains where to check.
Source: NWS San Diego surf zone forecast; NWS San Diego area forecast discussion
Ten beach closures remain in the South Bay
The County’s water quality map, updated early Wednesday, lists 10 closures and 97 advisories. The Imperial Beach closures at Cortez Avenue, the pier, Carnation Avenue and the end of Seacoast Drive date from early October. Two Silver Strand spots have been closed since Oct. 30, and Border Field State Park and the Tijuana Slough refuge have been closed for more than a year.
Advisories cover many popular spots, including La Jolla Cove, Children’s Pool, several Mission Bay swim areas, Tidelands Park and Glorietta Bay in Coronado. The County’s rain advisory from the weekend told people to stay out of the water for 72 hours after rain, and any shower that falls this morning restarts that clock.
Look up your beach at sdbeachinfo.com or call the County hotline at 619-338-2073 before you get in the water. For walks and tide pooling, see our San Diego beaches guide and La Jolla tide pools guide.
Source: Times of San Diego; County of San Diego beach and bay water quality map
A cool start, then a hot weekend with some Santa Ana wind
Some patchy drizzle is possible this morning, and the weather service says any coastal showers will be very light. Downtown should reach about 73 today and 77 on Thursday. After that it heats up, with highs near 83 Friday, 86 Saturday and 85 Sunday.
Weak Santa Ana winds start tonight and get stronger Friday and Saturday. Forecasters give a 40% chance of a weak to moderate event Saturday, with gusts of 25 to 40 mph in the usual windy spots. They also expect a moderate HeatRisk near the coast from Saturday through Monday, and cooler weather by the middle of next week.
Plan outdoor errands and workouts for the morning this weekend, and keep pets and kids out of hot cars. Our November weather guide has packing tips, and the events this weekend page lists what’s on.
Source: NWS San Diego forecast; NWS San Diego area forecast discussion
Freeway connectors close overnight through Sunday
Caltrans has several overnight connector closures this week. The westbound SR-94 connector to northbound I-5 closes from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. tonight and Thursday night. To get around it, stay on SR-94, exit at 25th Street and follow F Street to the northbound I-5 on-ramp.
On Thursday night, the northbound I-805 connector to northbound SR-15 closes from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., and the eastbound I-8 connector to northbound SR-67 closes from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Parts of the I-15 and SR-56 interchange also close from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Thursday for striping. Early Saturday, the northbound SR-75 connector to northbound I-5 near the Coronado Bridge is closed from 3 to 8 a.m. On Sunday night, the southbound I-5 connector to eastbound SR-52 closes from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
If you drive late at night or very early, check Caltrans QuickMap before you leave and add a few minutes for the detour. Our getting around San Diego guide covers other ways to get across town.
Source: Caltrans District 11 (SR-94); Caltrans (I-805/SR-15); Caltrans (I-8/SR-67); Caltrans (SR-75/I-5)
SDSU trolley escalators are out, and two Route 10 stops close Friday morning
MTS says the escalators at SDSU Station are out of service through Friday, so riders need to use the ramp, stairs or elevators. On Friday from 7 to 10 a.m., the Route 10 stops at Pacific Highway and Washington Street and at Washington Street by the trolley tracks may close for the Marine Corps Recruit Depot graduation.
For eastbound Route 10 during that window, MTS suggests taking the trolley to Old Town Transit Center and catching the bus there. Separately, the Route 4 and 961 stop at Imperial Avenue and 66th Street stays closed through Nov. 30. Use the Imperial and 65th stop instead.
Give yourself extra time at SDSU if stairs are hard for you, and expect more traffic near MCRD and Old Town on Friday morning. Questions go to the MTS information line at 619-233-3004. Our getting around San Diego guide explains fares and routes.
Source: San Diego MTS alerts and detours
Gas drops below $6 a gallon for the first time since September
The average price for a gallon of regular in San Diego County fell to $5.997 on Tuesday, according to AAA and OPIS figures reported by City News Service. That’s the first time it has been under $6 since Sept. 10. It’s about 9 cents lower than a week ago and 42 cents lower than a month ago, but still about $1.16 higher than a year ago.
Tuesday’s average was 1.3 cents lower than Monday’s. Prices at individual stations can sit well above or below the county average.
If you’re driving to the weekend events or heading out of town, compare nearby stations before you fill up. AAA’s gas price page shows the current county average. Our getting around San Diego guide lists transit options if you’d like to leave the car at home.
Source: 10News/City News Service; AAA gas prices
December Nights is set for Dec. 4 and 5, with Clay Aiken headlining
The City has announced that December Nights returns to Balboa Park on Friday, Dec. 4, from 4 to 10 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 5, from noon to 10 p.m. Clay Aiken plays the Spreckels Organ Pavilion on Saturday night, and the tree lighting is Friday at 6 p.m. The City expects about 350,000 people over the two days.
Free shuttles will run to the park from San Diego City College, downtown and Little Italy, and many museums will have free entry in the evening. More than 1,600 performers and over 200 food and craft booths are planned.
Parking near the park fills up fast, so plan on taking a shuttle or the bus. Our December Nights guide and Balboa Park guide have more tips, and Christmas lights in San Diego lists other holiday outings.
Source: KPBS; City of San Diego
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